Two years ago, I had a filling come out. I do have a substantial fear of the dentist. I didn’t do anything about it. Eventually, the tooth became infected, which I guess I should have expected. Then, when I could bear the pain no longer I went to see a dentist. He told me I needed a root canal treatment, which I did. However, I didn’t follow up and schedule an appointment to get the dental crown. Neither did the dentist, which suited me just fine. After a bit, the tooth broke and now it is infected again. I just need to get it extracted at this point. Should I go to an oral surgeon so I can be put under anesthesia?
Laurence
Dear Laurence,
I am sorry for all the pain and trauma you have experienced. While you can go to an oral surgeon, not only is it expensive, but it is completely unnecessary. In addition, it will only solve your problem in the short term. Dental anxiety can get very expensive. The good news is I have a great solution for you. What you need to find is a sedation dentist.
In most cases, just some nitrous oxide before your treatment is enough to relax you. This will definitely suit you for your normal maintenance. However, in your situation, including the level of anxiety and the invasive nature of your procedure, I am going to suggest you see someone who offers oral conscious sedation. This is administered with a pill but is strong enough that you likely sleep through your procedure. Some patients even call it sleep dentistry. This will allow you to get your tooth extracted at a fraction of the cost.
Even better, you will finally be able to have a pain-free dental appointment. This is a life changer for many patients who suffer from dental anxiety. You’ll find that you’ll save a lot of money and pain in the future as well. Knowing you can have a pain-free appointment will make it easier for you to go on a regular basis. Maintained teeth do not get as many cavities. Treating cavities early is cheaper than a crown. A crown is cheaper than a root canal treatment. A root canal treatment is cheaper than a tooth extraction.
This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentist Drs. Drake and Wallace.